Moanalua's Austin Matautia puts down a kill against McKinley. Peter Caldwell | SL

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030514_1205_VBCastle_024.JPG - Peter Caldwell | SL

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KANEOHE--Moanalua swept McKinley in two sets, 25-12 and 25-9 in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red East opener for both teams at Castle High School on Tuesday night. 

"I thought it was a good first game for our team. A lot of us haven't played together in a while and I think it was overall a good game and the season's going to be exciting," said Moanalua outside hitter Austin Matautia. 

The 6-foot-1 sophomore led the way with 14 kills and four service aces. 

Early in the first set, McKinley managed to cut the deficit to one, 7-6 after an ace from Joseph Abe. However the Na Menehune pushed the lead to 12-6 after Skylan Engleman and Victor Zamudio combined for a block. 

"I think our liberos and our passing was really good this game. In the beginning, I think we were a little nervous and we weren't talking that much. But as the game went on, I think we got our groove on and our passes started to come together. I think it relieves a lot of pressure and after the game went on, we were able to play our own game," said Matautia. 

Noah Marasco-Ayau's service ace pushed the lead to 10, 21-11 and the Tigers called a timeout. 

Zamudio ended the first set, 25-12 with an ace and Matautia had eight of his 14 kills in the first set. 

In the second set, Moanalua jumped out to a 14-5 lead after a kill from Matautia. McKinley called a timeout after the Na Menehune went up 18-7. Matautia had three-straight service aces to put Moanalua up 21-7. Zamudio ended the set and the match with a kill to win, 25-9. 

Moanalua later defeated host Castle in two sets, 25-14 for both sets and moves to 2-0 to start league play.

The Na Menehune will travel to play Anuenue at 6 pm and Kaimuki at 7 pm at Kaimuki High School. McKinley goes to Kalani at 6 pm on Mar. 11.